Goodnight To My Kindergartner
Posted by Katrina Kennedy on Jun 13, 2012 in 365, Blog, Personal | 10 comments
Tonight I put a kindergartner to bed for the last time.
Tomorrow night we’ll call him a first grader.
So many of you have known him since he was just a little guy exploring the world. You’ve been around for so many first mom moments. You’ve been there for tough decisions and scary moments.
He’s changed my world. He’s challenged my thinking. He’s made me readjust my priorities, my time, and my focus.
After his bath tonight he ran into my office to give me our ritual good night hug before his dad reads him a story and tucks him in for the night.
I hugged him close and realized. Kindergarten is over. Tomorrow I hug a different little boy.
I asked him to let me take a photo.
I think he was feeling the emotion as well.
He quickly cooperated and gave me a smile. Not the one I love, so we talked a bit more. I asked for a first grade smile and I got a hands in the air, excited burst of joy.
And then I got the photo in this post.
His real smile.
The genuine Ian smile. The one I know as his relaxed and real.
I’ll ignore the focus. The smile is there even if the focus fell in an unexpected spot.
He is the reminder to pick up my camera. He is the reminder that these moments are passing so very quickly.
He is the reminder that I will never look back and regret having made the effort to capture my 365.
Not for one moment.
Goodnight to my kindergartner. Tomorrow we begin a new chapter.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
What a sweet post. Congratulations to Ian! and to Mom & Dad too. I can’t believe how grown up looking he has become since I first found you Katrina. It goes by so quickly. Enjoy every moment!
OH you made me tear up! SIGH!!! Tomorrow I get to take my little girl to get her Kindergarten testing done. So I guess tonight I shall hug my little baby tomorrow night I shall hug a little girl ready to explore & Learn as a real School student.. How did time fly by so fast?
Katrina, I think you did get the focus just right, on joy and love! So glad his first year went well. Congrats to you all!
HOW did this happen?? ;-D
I know! Time is moving too fast!
Making me tear up! I now have an 8th-grader & 5th-grader. It seems that every year the time flies by faster and faster. I’m so glad I took up photography so that I can capture these fleeting times.
Hugs to you. I can’t imagine parenting without a camera!
My “baby” just finished middle school!! Where does the time go?!! It’s so bittersweet for me … all I ever wanted to be was a mom. I have worked so hard to be the best mom I can be and now, everyday, the time gets closer and closer to the point where I will have no babies in my house. I am happy and excited for them and I get that this is how it’s supposed to be. But it’s sad and scary for me too. Even though I logically get that I will always be their mom, it will be so different when they are out of the house and it feels like my dream is coming to an end.
Keep doing what you’re doing Katrina. The time passes oh so quickly.
Thank you Kim. Your words are beautiful and heartfelt. So many days I wish I could just press pause on him growing up so I can soak it up even more. You are an amazing mom my friend!
Best blog post ever!